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Wightman Sc.

THE GOSPEL

ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW.

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CHAPTER I.

1AN account of the parentage of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.* 2 Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob; 3 and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares, and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse ; 6 and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been 7 the wife of Urias; and Solomon begat Robo

This is the genealogy of Joseph, the legal and reputed father of Jesus. This Gospel being written primarily for the Jewish converts, the Evangelist is careful to inform them of the genealogy and parentage of our Savior; and to show, that, according to their ancient prophecies of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth was descended from David and Abraham. "In thy seed," it was said to Abraham, "shall all nations be blessed." And the Messiah, or Christ, was often called the son of David. See chap. xii. 23; xv. 22; xx. 30; xxi. 9. Luke i. 32. Acts ii. 30; xiii. 23.

am; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat 8 Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat 9 begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; and

Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat 10 Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; and Eze

kias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat 11 Amon; and Amon begat Josias; and Josias

begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the 12 time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zoroba13 bel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and A

biud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat 15 Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud

begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; 16 and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat

Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was 17 born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the transportation into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the transportation into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

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Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. Whilst his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy 19 Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a

That is, the Auointed, the same as Messiah, in Hebrew. That is, by the power or spirit of God. See Luke i. 34, 35.

just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was disposed to put her away 20 privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of 21 the Holy Spirit. And she shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS;† for he shall 22 save his people from their sins. (Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,‡ 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, (being interpreted) is, God 24 with us.) Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had direct25 ed him, and took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her first born son; and he called his name JESUS.

Some say this should be translated worthy or merciful. The word is correctly rendered just or righteous; and being of this character he would not be disposed to disgrace Mary upon mere suspicion or appearance.

† Joshua or Jesus signifies a savior or deliverer. See Isaiah vii. 14.

1

CHAP. II.

NOW, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod* the king, behold, there came wise ment from the east to 2 Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard it, he was 4 troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of 5 them where Christ should be born. And

they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : 6 for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou,

*This was the first prince of the name of Herod who reigned over the Jews. He was made king by the Romans, who had conquered the country. Herod was not a native Jew. This event, among many others, served to point out the time of the Messiah's coming: For it was early predieted, that the sceptre should not depart from Judah tiil Christ should come.

† Probably the Magi of Persia, or the Eramims of India. Some, however, suppose they were from Arabia, a country not so far distant.

At and before the time of Christ's birth, there was a general expectation of the appearance of an extraordinary person among the eastern nations, derived probably from the Jewish prophecies which they had seen.

§ Chaleiding, a pagan historian, relates the extraordinary star, and the visit of the wise men from the east. That is, to honor or do him obeisance.

Herod is represented as a very jealous, ambitious and cruel prince. The Jewish historian calls him an usurper. He was troubled, lest this Jewish Prince, as Christ was supposed to be, should assume the civil power.

That is, religious teachers.

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